The Lost One Ch. 09

A/N: Hey guys, here's Ch. 9. Thanks for your patience. This chapter is a short one for it sets up the next chapter, which is another long one. Thank you Blackstallion21 for editing. Well, enjoy.

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IX.
Caught in
The Middle

It took nearly a week to travel through the tunnel.

"Wonder which way we are headed?" asked Kyra.

"South I believe. I remember seeing a map of the world in a book I was studying." commented Ophealia.

On the morning of the sixth day, Pristine and her group arrived in the land of Drexal.

"Man! This place is really barren." commented Lola.

"Much of the world is like this Miss Lola." added Sir Reginald.

"You don't have to call me miss."

"I do it because I respect all females."

"If you insist."

"We should be careful here. Vandals usually roam plain areas." mentioned Lance.

"Um, what's a vandal?" asked Ophealia.

"Vandals are devious and will take your life regardless of who you are."

"We must be prepared then." said Sir Reginald.

"Do you hear something?" asked Pristine.

"I do." answered Pixie.

"Where's it coming from?" asked Kyra.

"This way." Pristine pointed as she led the way.

As they moved along they noticed that the grass was getting greener. They galloped up a hillside before spotting something.

Down below in the valley was a herd of cows and trouble. Several figures were taking a good portion of the herd while two others were harassing a young lady.

"Vandals." Lance said.

"She looks like she can use a hand." added Grayson.

"We must help her quickly." replied Sir Reginald.

"All right. We need someone to watch the girls." shouted Lance.

"Who says we need protection? We can take care of ourselves. Besides, we could help you." commented Ophealia.

"Yeah." agreed Kyra.

"I'll stay with them." volunteered Drock.

"Thank-you. Stay here." ordered Lance, with a direct look at Pristine.

"Be careful." Pristine said.

"Don't worry Pristine. We'll be back."

Lance pulled his stallion alongside her mare before touching her hair and thoroughly kissed her.

"I love you." Pristine whispered.

"Right back at you."

They kept their eyes on each other before Lance turned to the other men. They tried to speak low so the others didn't hear.

"All right. We'll try to sneak around. If that doesn't work, we'll do the direct approach." said Lance.

"I got an idea." replied Grayson.

"Let's hear it."

They all huddled around.

"That is a good idea." admitted Sir Reginald.

"We'll do it. You're coming right Xack?" asked Lance.

"Sure I am."

"All right then. Sir Reginald, you come with me. The rest of you know what to do." ordered Lance as he and Sir Reginald went off in one direction and Grayson, Xack, and the outlaws went in another.

"What are they doing?" asked Ophealia.

"I heard. They seem to forget that elves have superior hearing." Pixie smirked.

"Oh! Than what are they going to do?" asked Kyra with a giggle.

"Grayson, Xack, and the outlaws are going to distract the vandals while Lance and Sir Reginald get the girl."

"That might work." commented Lola.

"Pristine? What's the matter?" asked Kyra.

Pristine barely listened to the others because she was looking in another direction. In her mind she saw people running and there was smoke.

"Fire. There's a fire in the distance." she said.

"I don't see any smoke." commented Ophealia.

"I sense it. I need to help them."

"Wait! You heard what Lance said." reminded Lola.

"I never did say I'd stay." Pristine grinned mischievously.

"True, we didn't either. What do you three think?" Kyra asked Mallian, Drock, and Pixie.

They couldn't help but think how smart Pristine was. They all knew that the princess had a clever mind.

"Pristine must be slowly returning to her true self." they all thought.

"I think Pristine's right." said Mallian.

"I said I would watch you, but I didn't say I would stop you from doing anything." Drock grinned.

"Okay then. We're all going." said Ophealia.

"Thanks you guys. Let us hurry." said Pristine before she and the others took off and went east.

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During this time, Lance and the others put their plan into action. While Lance and Sir Reginald snuck around, Xack and Grayson approached the vandals. The rest of the outlaws hid. One of them was picking on a fourteen year-old girl with short golden brown hair.

"You can't have any of this! It belongs to the Scallen family!" she shouted.

"Oh, come now lass! We take what we like. We might as well take you along as well." a vandal grinned sinisterly.

"Excuse us!" shouted Grayson as he and Xack approached.

"What?" asked one of the vandals on horseback.

"We are just passing through and are wondering if you by chance happen to know if there is a nearby village."

"There isn't one for miles." said another vandal.

"Oh, then sorry we bothered you. Good day."

"Hey boss! Look at all the supplies they have." a vandal told the one who's holding the girl hostage.

He had a hand over her mouth and another around her waist as the girl struggled.

"So I see. Get them!" he ordered.

Seeing they took the bait, Grayson and Xack headed toward where the other outlaws were hidden. Lance and Sir Reginald were hiding as well, waiting for the right moment. When they saw it, they mounted their horses, and quietly went over to the one with the girl. The guy didn't know they were behind him until Lance placed his sword against his neck.

"Release her or I'll make you." Lance threatened.

The vandal reluctantly let her go. She quickly ran to Lance's side.

Without looking at her, Lance told her, "Go over to the gentleman behind me."

The girl nodded, looked behind her, and ran over to Sir Reginald. He held out a hand and helped her up to sit in front of him.

"Now, I suggest you take your men and go." suggested Lance.

The guy nodded and slowly went over to his horse. He saw that his men were caught by Grayson, Xack, and the outlaws. Mounting his horse, the guy started heading toward his men when he suddenly charged toward Lance, who had his head turn.

"Look out Lance!" warned Sir Reginald as he covered the young teen's eyes.

Lance already turned around to take out a hidden dagger in his belt and threw it at the guy. It hit him straight in the heart and he fell off the horse dead.

"Anyone else?" Lance asked.

The other vandals took off.

"You want us to go after them boss?" asked an outlaw.

"No. Let them go."

The young teen got off of Sir Reginald's horse and ran over to Lance.

"Thank-you for your help. You're not from around here are you?"

"Nope. My name is Lance, that's Sir Reginald of Cranston, my younger brother Grayson, Xack, and my band of outlaws."

"My name is Palla. You're an outlaw? I always thought outlaws were a bunch of barbarians."

"Well, don't believe everything you hear. None of us outlaws would ever take a life unless we have to. Excuse me."

Lance dismounted his horse and walked over to the dead vandal and pulled out the dagger before cleaning it.

"Hey? Isn't that Pristine's dagger?" asked Grayson.

"Yes, as a matter of fact, it is. She gave it to me when we were traveling through that tunnel."

There was a flashback to when they were in that last tunnel. They were all resting at the time. Pristine and Lance were in a dark area a ways from the others.

"Here, I want you to have this." Pristine said as she handed him her dagger.

"I can't have this Pristine. You must use it to protect yourself."

Pristine shook her head and insisted, "Take it. You'll need it soon. Trust me."

"Thank-you."

Lance relented and smiled before kissing her. The flashback ended.

"Pristine must have known something was going to happen." commented Xack.

"I guess so." replied Lance as he stood up.

"Excuse me? Who's Pristine?" asked Palla.

"She's Lance's love." grinned Grayson.

"She's also the one who discovered you were in trouble." added Lance as he mounted his horse.

"Oh! Is she a sorceress?" asked Palla.

"No, but she does have instincts and premonitions." answered Grayson.

"Where is she? I'd like to meet her."

"She's with the others." said Xack.

"Others?"

"Others from our group. There's Pristine's best friend Kyra, the Princess Ophealia, Mallian the water folk, Drock, Pixie the elf, and my cousin Lola."

"Wow! That's incredible! Give me a second."

Palla whistled and a horse came from another direction. It galloped over to Palla and she mounted it.

"Okay, let's go." she insisted.

But when they got over the hill, the others were nowhere in sight.

"Where are they?" asked Grayson.

"Great! I told them to stay here." exclaimed Lance.

"Well Lance, neither of them did say they would stay." pointed out Xack.

"Lance, you shouldn't worry about Miss Pristine so much." said Sir Reginald.

"I can't help it, Sir Reginald."

"I don't blame you for worrying either Lance since the Evil One is after her." Grayson added.

"The Evil One is after Pristine?" asked Palla.

"Yes, Pristine is pure-hearted and has the Crystal of Life." explained Grayson.

Lance and Xack sighed. Sometimes Grayson talked too much.

"The Crystal of Life? WOW! Hey! Are you searching for the unicorn?"

"Indeed we are. Drackor first appeared to Pristine and Kyra. Along the way, more of us joined up."

Lance moved over to his brother before whispering, "Knock it off bro. Zeather could be listening."

"Drackor's involved! Oh my! Well, why don't we go back to my place, and then my family will help you look for your love and the others." suggested Palla.

"Okay." Lance reluctantly agreed.

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Meanwhile, Pristine and her group were galloping across the plains. Vineyards started popping up. Finally, they all saw a manor house in the distance and it was on fire.

"Oh my goodness! Pristine was right." commented Lola.

"Let's hurry." said Pristine.

They soon arrived at the gates, which were opened at the moment. As they approached the huge blaze, they noticed the commotion around them. Some were standing around, while others were scrambling to extinguish the fire.

Pristine saw a black-haired lady ask a boy, "Where's Freyia?"

"She went back inside to get cousin Josiah." said the lad.

"What?! We got to get them out of there!"

"Pixie! Watch my horse!" Pristine ordered as she dismounted.

"What are you doing Pristine?" asked Pixie as she took the reins.

Pristine didn't answer. She ran and entered the burning building.

"Pristine!" screamed Kyra and Ophealia.

It was a raging inferno inside as Pristine covered her mouth with her cloak. She sensed something and rolled to the side just in time as a burning chandelier fell. That was when Pristine heard a cry for help. She saw that it's coming from a room blocked by burning rubble.

"Hello! Can anyone hear me?!" Pristine shouted.

"Help us! We're trapped and the roof is about to crumble!" hollered a female's voice.

"Stand back!"

Pristine blasted through. When she entered, she saw an auburn haired fourteen year-old teen, holding a blonde boy.

"Who are you?" coughed the teen.

"That can come later. Hurry! This building is about to collapse."

They rushed out and dodged the falling debris.

"The front door is blocked!" the teen coughed again.

"I'll unblock it then."

Pristine used the crystal to blast through. Outside, Drock, the girls, and several other people watched as Pristine, the teen, and the boy made it out.

"Freyia! Josiah!" shouted the people as they ran over to the teen and the boy.

The others ran over to Pristine.

"Pristine that was the craziest thing I've ever seen." commented Lola as she and the others dismounted.

"Welcome to my world. She does this kind of thing a lot." sighed Ophealia.

"Excuse me miss?" asked a dark auburn hair man.

Pristine and the others turned to the crowd.

"We all want to thank you for saving Freyia and Josiah." replied the man.

"Well I did what I had to do. You don't have to thank me." Pristine said.

"You are too modest my dear." chuckled the man.

They turned towards the burning house.

"Now what will become of us?" asked Josiah.

"No need to worry. I'll take care of it." answered Pristine as she pulled out the Crystal of Life once again.

The inhabitants gasped. Holding it close to her, Pristine closed her eyes before she and the crystal began to glow.

Holding the crystal, Pristine replied, "Crystal of Life, undo what was done and create this place anew."

Light shot out of the crystal and at the manor, engulfing it in light. As it died down, the house was renewed. Pristine dropped to her knees and gasped for breath.

"Are you okay Pristine?" asked Kyra.

"Yes, I am. Just give me a minute."

"You know what Pristine? You didn't collapse or faint. That means you're getting stronger." mentioned Drock.

"I guess. Thank-you." Pristine replied as Drock helped her up.

When they turned to the inhabitants again, the crowd knelt before Pristine.

"There's no need for you to kneel." Pristine said.

"Oh, but there is. You saved our home and for that we are eternally grateful." replied the man before they all rose.

"I'm just glad I could help."

"Now that everything is settled, let me introduce myself. My name is Lord Nelson of Jarain. This is my wife Lady Darla and our daughter, Freyia. These are my younger brothers, Derrick and Steward, and their families. The rest are our servants and guards. I have an older sister, but she lives in another house. Now may I ask who all of you are?" asked Lord Nelson.

"My name is Pristine, this is Kyra, Princess Ophealia, Lola, Mallian the water folk, Drock, and Pixie the elf."

"Excuse me, but are you looking for the lost unicorn?" asked Freyia.

"Yes. How'd you know?"

"You have the Crystal of Life with you. I've read the legend."

"Would you like to come inside? I'm sure you-all are tired and hungry." offered Lady Darla.

Pristine looked at the others, particularly Pixie and Mallian. Even though they hid it well, Pristine sensed their discomfort around all the humans. The two nodded though and Pristine didn't sense any dishonest people.

"All right, but we can't stay too long."

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Meanwhile, Palla led Lance and his group to her home, which was a manor house as well. As it turned out, Palla is the niece of manor's owner, Baron Boris of Scallen. Her father, Carson, was Baron Boris's younger brother. When they arrived, the Scallen family invited them in. When asked why they were here, Palla couldn't help but tell them everything. Little did they knew that one of Zeather's spy demons was there. Before anyone spotted it, it vanished. When Palla finished, Baron Boris welcomed them and offered them his hospitality.

"We thank you sir." bowed Sir Reginald.

"Is there anything else you need?" asked the baron.

"Part of our group is missing. We would like to go look for them." said Lance.

"I can help you. I just hope they haven't gone into Jarain territory." commented Baron Boris.

"Why?" asked Grayson.

"Those Jarain are full of themselves; all high and mighty. They treat everyone like peasants." snorted Carson.

Palla looked away at that, as if she's hiding something. Lance noticed her reaction for she did not look pleased with her father's comment. Lance himself was not all that convinced either that the Jarain were who Carson said they were.

"I just want to find them. If you don't mind, I'd like to get started as soon as possible." requested Lance.

"Oh sure my boy!" agreed the baron.

"Daddy! Daddy! Look!" shouted someone.

They all turned to see a five year-old girl with honey-colored hair come up to Carson.

"Look daddy. I drew a unicorn." she showed him.

"It's beautiful, Tarma." replied Palla.

"Tarma, we have guests." replied Carson.

"Hi!" waved Tarma.

"Hello little lady. Is she your daughter?" asked Grayson.

"Yes. Palla, can you watch your sister please?"

"Sure father. Let's go Tarma."

Palla and Tarma left.

"Now let's go find your companions." replied Baron Boris.

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In the meantime, the others were resting in one of the guest rooms of the Jarain house.

"We need to get out of here soon. Lance is probably having a fit." replied Ophealia.

"That might be putting it lightly, your highness." added Pixie.

"But Princess Ophealia is right. We need to leave." agreed Drock.

"I'm ready when you're ready." stated Kyra.

That's when Freyia came in with a tray with drinks on it.

"I brought you something to drink."

"Freyia? How is it that Zeather hasn't taken over this region?" asked Lola.

"Well, Zeather doesn't see the people here as a threat because . . ."

"Because what?" asked Ophealia.

"Because of the disputes between the houses. I think the Evil One believes as long as we are fighting amongst ourselves we can't be a threat to him. Personally, I wish the fighting would stop. Anyway, you guys drink up and rest."

"Boy, if what Freyia says is then we got us a serious problem." commented Lola.

"Why?" asked Kyra.

"Because the others could be at another house that is enemies with this one."

"In other words . . ." started Ophealia.

"If a fight brakes out, we all will be caught in the middle." finished Mallian.

"Hey! Where's Pristine?" asked Kyra.

"She was here a minute ago. She can certainly be quiet." commented Ophealia.

"We better go look for her." suggested Pixie.

Pristine snuck out of the room after Freyia left. She knew something was wrong and wanted to see what the young lady was up to. Freyia went to her father and asked if she could picked apples. He reluctantly let her go.

Pristine came up after she left and asked, "Is something wrong?"

Lord Nelson turned and replied, "Freyia is going to one of our orchards to pick apples. It's near the Scallen border. The Scallen are boars and filthy thieves."

"Well, if you like, I can follow her and watch her for you." suggested Pristine.

"After that incredible display this morning, I am sure you can look after Freyia. Sure, you can go. I've placed your horse in our stables."

"Thank-you."

Pristine went to the stables in time to see Freyia ride away. After suiting her horse up, Pristine followed Freyia. She made herself invisible as she followed. It didn't take long for Pristine to see a wooded area that Freyia was heading to. When Pristine entered, she noticed Freyia dismounting her horse and approaching two people. Pristine recognized one of them as the teenager from this morning.

"I knew Lance and the others would rescue her. The child must be the teen's sister." Pristine thought.

"Hi Freyia, you'll never believe what happen. That dream that I had happened!" Palla said.

"You mean the dream when you are attacked and a group of men save you?" asked Freyia.

"Yes, they are at my house right now."

"Oh, well. Palla? You know the dream I told you about where my cousin and I are trapped in a burning place and we are rescued by a figure of light?"

"Yes, what about it?"

"Well, today our house caught fire and my cousin and I were trapped until this stranger named Pristine saved us. Oh! There's more. She has the Crystal of Life and restored our home. She came with several others. Two of them are enchanted folk."

"Pristine? Where have I heard that name before? Oh! One of the men was an outlaw named Lance and his true love's name is Pristine. And I was told she had the crystal. I bet they're now looking for Pristine's group."

"Uh-oh! You know this could be a difficult situation because Lance's group is on your territory and Pristine's group is on mine. If our families found that out then they might not help them or not even let them leave to go to the other house."